anyone come to the ER with peds experience?

Specialties Emergency

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I was woundering if anyone has changed from peds to ER nursing. what was your experience? would you recommend it? I have only worked in peds for the last year and have an interview for a position in ER.

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I'm thinking of making the same move. i'm interested in hearing what people have to say.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I don't have experince as I am a student, but my ED manager came from peds and one of our charge nurses used to work PICU, is one of the nurses who is really good at IV starts, guess because she was used to starting IVs on squriming little kids

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Specializes in ER.

Started in "adult" ER as new grad but prior to becoming a RN, I was an tech at a Childrens Hospital trauma center. My first choice was ER new grad at that Childrens Hospital but they didn't have one. After 1 yr at the "adult" ER, I got hired on in the ER at Childrens Hospital. So I had the best of both worlds. I'm assuming you are getting an "adult" ER job. I think you shouldn't have a problem as long as you understand that you will be taking care of heavier pts, bigger poo and drug seeker in "adult" ER. Most "adult" ER nurses would rather not be assigned to a pediatric pt and its same for pediatric ER nurses about an adult pt walking in their ER with chest pain. So they will love you and be more than happy to pass on their ped pts. I say go for it, its a plus having both experiences.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I worked peds full time and ER prn for a while. Advantage was I knew how to handle kids, parents, and determine pedi dosages. Chronic kids like sickle, hemophilia, etc knew me from the floor so were comfortable with me. Pedi teaches you how to assess non-verbal patients (or patients who cannot give reliable answers). All this was a help in ER. Plus, I knew how to suction an infant with a converted TB syringe!

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Specializes in ER.
Started in "adult" ER as new grad but prior to becoming a RN, I was an tech at a Childrens Hospital trauma center. My first choice was ER new grad at that Childrens Hospital but they didn't have one. After 1 yr at the "adult" ER, I got hired on in the ER at Childrens Hospital. So I had the best of both worlds. I'm assuming you are getting an "adult" ER job. I think you shouldn't have a problem as long as you understand that you will be taking care of heavier pts, bigger poo and drug seeker in "adult" ER. Most "adult" ER nurses would rather not be assigned to a pediatric pt and its same for pediatric ER nurses about an adult pt walking in their ER with chest pain. So they will love you and be more than happy to pass on their ped pts. I say go for it, its a plus having both experiences.

you got that right. I can deal with all populations, but prefer those that don't cry. =)

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In my ER, they are awesome. Love em love em love em. Tough ped IV starts, ped codes, tough ped pts, they can handle them with ease. I can't stand ped pt. and love it when they are there to help. Plus, they are very good in dealing with the parents.

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Specializes in ER, peds.,nursery..

i have had a variety of experience over the last 18 years that now really helps me out in the ED. i worked NICU, lots of med/surg/peds and i also worked as a second ob. once i got to the ED i was happy to be able to use a lot of this in the unit as we see everything. i am really good at peds iv starts and that is a bonus to the unit. i am also good at a lot of the iv's so that helps the unit also. i am comfortable with delivering a 17 weeker in the ed and with working the pediatric code.

my advice would be to hone in on specific skills. things are really laid back on the peds floor. but in the ED they can be life threatening in an instant. be comfortable with so many aspects of children oh and their parents. get strong in your pediatric code setting. IE take ENPC. awesome course. most units only require PALS but i think you gain a much better resource from the ENPC course. i have both. I love the kids. it is great to see one come in barely breathing and to see him sitting up and laughing later that shift. it is hard to lose them though and you really have to have a thick skin cause we lose babies all the time. most of the time they come to us in full arrest and we cant save them. it is very emotional for some nurses. Kids are the worst for that cause it tugs at everyones heart strings.

remember... it takes time to get good at ER and just as long to get good at PEDS ER. learn all you can and be willing to learn. dont go to the unit with the attitude that "i am a great pediatric nurse and you cant teach me anything" cause believe me the ER nurses can teach. but they also dont know everything and they need to be just as open to new ideas. That is hard for a lot of hard core ER nurses to do.

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